Othello holds off Quincy soccer on Lopez goal

OTHELLO - It couldn't make a difference when the Othello and

Quincy soccer teams play because a rivalry means that much

more.

Yesterday, the two teams battled it out in a rare non-league game

at Othello and despite it not meaning anything toward Central

Washington Athletic Conference (CWAC) supremacy or postseason

potential, it still had a feel of a playoff game.

OTHELLO - It couldn't make a difference when the Othello and Quincy soccer teams play because a rivalry means that much more.

Yesterday, the two teams battled it out in a rare non-league game at Othello and despite it not meaning anything toward Central Washington Athletic Conference (CWAC) supremacy or postseason potential, it still had a feel of a playoff game.

In stormy conditions on the field and the atmosphere, the Huskies got a ninth minute goal by Ivan Lopez and his tally was enough for his second consecutive game winner of the week for Othello as they held on for a 1-0 win over the Jacks.

Not bad for a match that didn't matter.

"It's a non-league match and it was different since last year was at home and a league game," Othello head coach Bernie Garza said. "The intensity wasn't quite as much there, but they still wanted to beat Quincy. There wasn't much holding back. There were four yellow cards so there was some aggressive play."

It was the third straight time Othello (4-3) has beaten Quincy (4-2) on its home field.

"Tonight was just kind of one of those game where you like to win them but when the cards started flying I started putting some kids on the bench so they don't get red cards in a non league match," Quincy head coach Thomas Turner said. "We didn't play well at midfield. We did create more in the second half but we weren't playing the conditions well. But it happens."

Winds whipped up, down and any other direction they could find as the teams struggled at times to control the ball and avoid direct play as much as possible.

Both teams tried some long range shots to try their luck with Quincy coming close early on only to be denied by the post.

"The weather had a lot to do with how the teams played," Garza said. "Neither one of us could control the ball the way we would like and it affected possession. It didn't allow both teams to play as they were capable."

Still in the game's early moments Huskie Ociel Romero drilled a ball through multiple players as it scooted into the Quincy box and onto Lopez's foot as he drilled in a point-blank shot past Jacks' goalie Cody Beaumont.

Yet, despite the tally, Othello outshot Quincy 12-6 and found a way to boot at least three or four other quality scoring opportunities.

"We are taking a lot of shots, especially in previous games," Garza said. "We are not finishing. Even today we only scored one. It's just that the run of play and they are not getting a good shot, taking awkward shots. It may still be timing but I still haven't figured it all out."

The next 71 minutes saw the two teams compare strengths and quality play in spurts but Quincy could not find the equalling strike.

"Quincy are a good quality team but they are missing that goal-scoring threat like they had last year," Garza said. "That was fortunate for us since we scored and they couldn't come back to score. I am glad to get the win now and get that confidence builder for when we play them again when it counts."

According to Turner, the Jacks might have had only a couple quality looks and that wasn't enough this night.

"I think we got two solid shots off of them when we used the flanks," Turner said. "With the wind if we kept the ball on the ground and use the flanks since they had four guys in the middle. We tried to get it in on the side but it wasn't happening. It's worked for us before but it didn't tonight."

Now the two teams will aim for CWAC excellence as league play is set to commence.

"The main focus this year is that we get up a goal and we have to play aggressive but maintain that lead," Garza said. "We used to take leads and then give the other team's goals back. Their being more focus after we score. What we are doing now is that we are swarming to the ball and pressing more. Usually teams score and they relax, but now we score and we have to keep pressing. It's an attitude change to where we are now winning and we must stay focused."

The two teams will see each other again on April 26 in Quincy - when it supposedly really matters.

"I think we'll be fine by then," Turner said. "We just need to get everybody healthy and if we get some rest here over spring break we will be all right."